The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-07-02

nearer the ranche came the different parties. At last the herders shut the bars of the corral behind the last of the bleating sheep, and, unslinging their canteens, began pumping water for their charges. Uncle Jim Boyle mounted the steps of the rude piazza with firm and heavy tread, and the two young people-she swinging her large straw hat by it's ribbons, and he walking decorously at her side-came round the corner of the shed.
 Everybody on the divide took an earnest interest in Fanny Carroll. When her father, old Tom Carroll, up at Georgetown, made his great strike, and sold out to the eager slender feet," there was general sentiment of satisfaction; for Tom had worked faithfully, and had plenty of hard luck, and was good fellow through it all. When, too, he came into pos session of solid bank account, he be- haved particularly well; declined to be "interviewed," bought no diamond pins, extended liberal help to some old "pardso whose luck had deserted them, and, as the boys expressed it, "wa'n't stuck up and didn't go back on 'em."
 Miss Fanny was sent to an eastern seminary, whence she had returned as accomplished and pretty, refined and well-dressed as heart could desire. When she came down to the Divide to make visit at the ranch, it was unan- imously declared by the population of that region that she 'just everlast- ingly laid over" anything from the U. P. down to New Mexico. She was indeed charming girl by any stand ard, and, with her chestnut brown hair and mahogony- -colored eyes, the 1.-the, slender figure would have at- tracted attention anywhere. Small wonder, then, that this gracious young creature soon reigned an uncrowned queen over many loyal and devoted subjects. Now, as she came near to him, old Uncle Jim's face relaxed and his eyes took on tender expression.
 "Bless her heart" said he to him. self, "she's the pootiest creetur Pve seen in many long year. That young fellers mashed putty bad on her. Waal, Eve been young myself, an l know how it is. kind O think she kin do jest anything she likes with him. 1 don't believe thar's a man livin' thet could say no to her,. let alone do her harm." He doffed his hat, and, with curious timidity, took her little hand, profered as she greeted him, in the firm grasp of his own large and rough one. Then her aunt, whose guest she was, came out upon the piazza, and invited Sam Buxton to sup and spend the night at the ranche, instead of taking the long ride to his own quarters.
 Meantime, the two men, who had been approaching from the north, had stopped and held consultation close to the outbuilding in which Ah Fong was concealed. Their appear ance was sadly against them. One was tall. thin fellow, with a sullen countenance and shaggy black hair; the other smaller man with freckled face and red whiskers, looking for all the world like ferret. A precious pair of rutfians An Fong thought them, as he strained his ears to catch the dialogue, thickly interlarded with profanity, which lasted for five min utes, and until, having apparently made up their minds what to do, they started in direction which took them round the corner of the ranch house and toward the party on the piazza.
 The Chinese boy, when they had passed his place of concealment emerged, ran round the house in the opposite direction and approached Uncle Jim before the latter saw the pair.
 "Master," whispered he, "hab got two piecee man come. Wantchee stop this side tonight. More better you talkee he no can stop. Mi can secure he bblong lallee- loon man q can prove that they are ladrones or robbers)."
 "Wall, now" said Uncle Jim, a didn't never have no use for a cuss that wears pig-tail and eats rats 'The Chinese must go,' says I. Cleal out now and go washee washee, O, whatever you call it."
 As An Fong well knew, Uncle Jim's bark was much worse than his bite nor was there any fear that he would disregard a warning. The Chinese boy drew back just as the two rough fellows came in sight. They ap. preached the piazza, and one could set the look of repulsion come on Uncle Jim's expressive face, as his exper. fenced eye took in the details of theil obnoxious appearance. The smaller fellow advanced as spokesman.
 "I allow yer disremember me, Mir Boyle," said he in voice which h, tried in vain to modulate, and which contrasted queerly with his unctuou, manner. "l knowed yer when yel was a-sinkin' shaft up to Centra